On a sunny Sunday afternoon in Brooklyn's Fort Greene Park, just days before Juneteenth, it was hard to be seen as crowds of people lounged under brightly colored picnic blankets and hilltop tents.
R&B and hip-hop filling the crisp air was just the initial vibe for Lay Out, a series of summer park gatherings whose creators say they exist “around Black Joy.” By 5 p.m., the park was filled with mostly black attendees dancing, drinking, playing games, and enjoying each other's company as a break from the day.
“This is my favorite event of the summer,” said Toni Leotaud, 31, of Brooklyn. “I’m a picnic girl and I like all black people.” “I know I’m going to see some crazy people I know.”
Now in its fifth year, Lay Out has become one of Brooklyn's main attractions every summer, especially during events celebrating Juneteenth. (One of the events is always scheduled to take place around June 19, the national holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.)
Emily Anadu, the event's chief executive officer and one of the founders, said the idea for the layout was inspired by the 2020 coronavirus pandemic restrictions and the protests that broke out in the summer following the killing of George Floyd. A police van burst into flames during a protest near her home in the Fort Greene area. She woke up the next morning and tried to help clean up around the park, but she was shocked by what she saw.
“When I went outside, it seemed like nothing had happened. “It was like Pleasantville.” she said “Everything was cleaned up and then someone swept up the ashes and wrote the words ‘Black Lives Matter.’”
Mr. Anadu, who has lived in New York City for nearly 20 years, most of that time in Fort Greene, recalled how normal it once was to see many black people. During the early months of the pandemic, she walked through the park for hours and became viscerally aware of how much the demographics had changed.
Mr. Anadu said: “I was uncomfortable with the dichotomy between the extreme pain people felt. As if you are not physically safe in this country. And for many people, the experience of taking time off from work was also inconvenient. And beautiful days in the park.”
Days after the protests, Mr. Anadu began organizing park gatherings where black people could comfortably “take up space” in what was once a predominantly black neighborhood. During her roughly three days of planning, she discussed her idea with a few of her friends in her group chat, and through word of mouth and online promotion, she created the idea on Sunday, June 7, about a week after the protest ended. Her first layout was opened.
She said more than 500 people attended the first event, adding that she was a bit nervous about having so many attendees considering social distancing guidelines. But the event was held outdoors, and the size of the crowd was a testament to “how much we needed each other.”
On Sunday, Lay Out returned with a variety of sponsored activities, including tennis workshops, mini basketball games, Black-owned businesses and neighborhood after-parties. We spoke to attendees about what brought them to the park.
Tony Leotaud (31 years old) and Lee Brandt (34 years old)
Bedford-Stuyvesant (Brooklyn) and Hillside (New Jersey)
What is your most memorable moment on Layout?
Lee Brant: Last year, she started playing Keyshia Cole in the middle of the set, and a circle formed around the man who was proposing. And everyone stood in a circle around them and sang “Love.” It was beautiful.
Daniel Jones, 34
Bushwick, Brooklyn
Is this how you usually spend the weekend of June 1st?
Since I started that job, yes, I'm here every June 1st.
What keeps you reminded?
Can't you see this? The culture, the music, the atmosphere — they got their food from there. It's just that the energy is always at 10.
Fatu Ndiaye, 35 years old
Lisbon
How long are you visiting?
For a month. I knew June was a good month in New York. There are many. And I really wanted to live this month because it was Juneteenth.
What brings you here today?
Actually, I'm selling food here. We are called Wadadli Jerk and this is our fourth year doing this. In fact, we launched Lay Out when it launched during the pandemic.
What do you like most about it?
Beautiful people. It's so great to see beautiful black people enjoying ourselves and being ourselves.
Iris Stevens (32 years old) and Sarde Council (37 years old)
Harrison, NJ, Flatbush, Brooklyn
What keeps you coming back to this event?
Iris Stevens: I actually lived in Brooklyn and back in Jersey, but there's this vibe where everyone gathers here in the name of fun and enjoyment. That's what always draws me back.
What do you think makes this event different from previous events?
Sardis Committee: It seems to be a little more organized in terms of space, and there seems to be a bit of space with a door, so it's really beautiful. But as always, only good vibes remain. It feels like a family gathering. And it's really lovely to come with friends and celebrate my borough and see friends I haven't seen in a long time..
Ronnie Byas Jr., 34
Bedford Stuyvesant
What are you most looking forward to today?
to be honest? There's a joint where I know someone I know will be here, so I'll get my shot.
What do you love about Juneteenth?
It's a holiday where black people can get together and just be cool. The 4th of July is not really our time. We weren't necessarily free, and I feel like this is the 4th of July for black people.
Qiana Park
What was your most memorable experience here?
It was my first year DJing here. It was right after the protest. I had just moved back to New York from Virginia and asked Emily if I could bring some music to Lay Out. My favorite moment was when I played “Ease on Down” by The Wiz. “And I was at the top of the hill, and I saw these beautiful black people running up the hill. It was so liberating that I cried. I was anxious because I had just moved back to Brooklyn and was not yet spiritually settled. And at that moment I opened my heart again.
West Foster, 24; Divine Bauman, 23; and Zeta Strayhorn, 21.
Central Harlem
What does community mean to you?
Zeta Strayhorn: I'm from Atlanta, so community has always meant a lot to me, especially for black people. Community in particular is a group of people who are there for each other no matter what and can make you feel like every part of you is accepted. Thankfully I found my people.
What are you looking forward to in this Lay Out?
West Foster: I am looking forward to community, connection and reconnecting with the diaspora.
Farid Abdullah, 41 years old
Harlem
Is this your first time using layouts?
This is my first time with Lay Out. One of my good friends kept saying what an amazing experience it would be. And I thought I should come and enjoy it while I'm here in America. In a few weeks I will be moving to the Emirates.
What has been your most enjoyable experience so far?
To be honest, it's a community spirit. Everyone is kind. It's great that my goddaughter is here to see beautiful people doing amazing things. The atmosphere is very friendly. The park is giving life. Ellie is here. I just love the environment.
Alexis Kemp, 42
Clinton Hill, Brooklyn
Why is the layout special to you?
Our neighborhood may seem the bleakest, but we meet old friends and see how future generations are doing and how they are trying to make their voices heard and make an impact in their community.
What does Juneteenth mean to you?
To me, Juneteenth means freedom, and it means respecting and acknowledging our ancestors who came before us. And that means communication. This means tapping your neighbor and saying, “Neighbor, we are free.” That we still support each other, lift each other up, and still fight for that freedom today.